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“Of course it does, Dad.” He looked me in the eye, unwavering. “I reacted the way I did because…it was a shock, alright? I thought maybe you were mad at me about the whole culinary school thing, and I thought you were trying to get back at me by sleeping with Vivian.”
“I would never do something like that, Wally.”
“I know, I know. It sounds stupid in hindsight. It’s just what I was thinking.”
“What are you saying, son?”
“If Vivian really makes you happy and you really do love her, I don’t want you tonotsee her for my sake. I mean, it still kind of weirds me out. Really weirds me out.”
“Okay,” I said quickly, cutting him off. “I get it.”
Wally shook his head. “I’ve never heard you talk about anyone like the way you do Vivian. Not even Mom. I can see now how much you care. It’s… I’m just going to need some time to get used to it, I guess.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I mean it, Wally. Thank you.”
He chewed on the inside of his cheek. “I’m still moving out.”
“Oh. I see.” I took a deep breath. “Well, I’m… I’m proud of you. It’s a big change.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I figured it was about time. Spread my wings, or whatever the clichéd saying is.”
“If you need anything, please let me know. If you need help with the move, I can always outsource my guys at the firm.”
Wally chuckled lightly. “I might take you up on that, actually.”
I swallowed. “Listen, about culinary school—”
“We don’t have to talk about it.”
“No, I think we should. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. If it really means that much to you, then I’ll support your decision.”
A smile crept onto his lips. “Seriously? What about medical school?”
“Something to fall back on, if need be, but I doubt you’ll need to.” I smiled at my son. “You’re a smart kid. Smarter than I give you credit for.”
“Gee, thanks,” he replied dryly.
“What I mean is you’ll land on your feet. No matter what you end up doing with your life, I know you’ll give it your all. I know you’ll make me proud—”
Wally lunged toward me, throwing his arms around me to pull me into a tight hug. I laughed softly, patting him on the back. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d hugged like that.
“Fuck, when did you get so tall?” I muttered, ruffling his hair.
“I’ve always been this tall. Maybe you’re shrinking in your old age.”
“Watch it, kid.”
When he let go, he took a step back and said, “Thanks, Dad. I promise to work hard. This isn’t some throw away thing. I really want to be a chef.”
I nodded. “I know. You’ll do great. You have my blessing, not that you need it. I’m sure you would have gone regardless of my opinion.”
“True, but it means a lot.”
“Do you still have those pamphlets? I’d love to take a look. Unless you’ve already got a school in mind?”
“I’ve still got them. My heart’s kind of set on this school in London.”
“England?”
